Move the Bars in Close
The second step is to adjust the bar width (set them closer) to a distance that the gymnast can easily and confidently reach.  When the jump to kip is mastered at the first setting the bars may be moved out one setting at a time until they reach the setting at which the gymnast is actually going to compete.  By using both the slide and width setting of the bars, there can be an almost infinite number of progression steps.  Certainly the distance can be controlled inch by inch, if necessary.

Consider How Wide Bars Should Be Set for Young Gymnasts
It is our opinion that the safest setting for each gymnast would probably be just far enough apart that a gymnast could swing straight through the bars during a giant or the compulsory high bar swings.  We must admit, however, that we much prefer from a coaching point of view to set the bars at their widest setting and have every gymnast work with them there to eliminate the need for setting the bars for each gymnast.

Set Different Bars for Different Height Gymnasts
Larger gyms with multiple sets of bars can deal with this by setting different sets of bars for different size gymnasts and having them work on the bars that fit them.  Smaller gyms must either train every gymnast to safely catch the bars at the wide setting or take the time to adjust the bars. 

Spotting This Skill Safely is Very, Very Difficult
Spotting this skill is deceptively difficult.  We do not believe that any coach can safely spot this skill standing under the high bar waiting to see if the gymnast catches the bar or not. Three are two reasons for this.  The first is that often the gymnast appears to have caught the bar, which makes the coach instinctively relax, and then the gymnast peels.  Even coaches with the most determined level of spotting concentration can fall victim to this predicament. 

This Fall Happens Faster Than the Reflex Capabilities of a Spotter
The second problem with spotting this skill from the ground is that the swinging action rockets the gymnast straight down to the floor very, very quickly during a fall from this skill.  This is especially true when the gymnast jumps to the high bar with an arch jump, which causes an involuntary tap action when the feet get out in front of the bar and speeds the hands peeling off and the speed of the fall.   Even coaches with the fastest of reflexes will be unable to safely and consistently catch gymnasts falling this fast, especially if it is unexpected.

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